Spirit and RTD brands are innovating around limited-edition, seasonal and novel flavours to drive interest in the category.

Mikolaj Kaczorowski, Innovation Analyst

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  1. INTRODUCTION

    • What we have seen
    • Our pick of the most innovative launches in this review
    • Other innovative launches
    • The Future of Wines and Spirits: 2025
  2. EUROPE, MIDDLE EAST & AFRICA (EMEA)

    • Europe: seasonal, limited-edition and co-branded RTDs, wines and spirits infuse the category with excitement
    • Exclusive alcohol launches resonate with consumers who display their drinks at home or online
    • Limited-edition and seasonal launches see a slight uptick in launch share
    • Graph 1: wine, spirit and RTD launches, by share of select claims, 2020-24
    • Spirit brands celebrate artists, the seasons and unique flavour combinations
    • Wine and RTD brands feature tie-ins with Netflix, carbonated soft drinks brands and celebrated bartenders
    • Europe: flavour innovation can keep the RTD sector vibrant and relevant
    • RTD consumers seek out appealing and novel flavours
    • Alcohol flavours lead RTD innovation, followed by fruit flavours
    • Graph 2: RTD launches, by share of top five flavour components subgroups, 2024
    • RTD innovation is coming from global liqueur brands, along with brands trying novel recipes
    • The Middle East & Africa (MEA)
    • New RTD launches in the Middle East and Africa
  3. ASIA PACIFIC (APAC)

    • Asia: RTD brands are tapping into the popularity of the highball cocktail
    • Consumers are interested in on-trend flavoured alcoholic drinks
    • Highball cocktail RTDs are growing in launch share
    • RTD brands explore a variety of highball flavour combinations
    • Asia: sustainability is on consumers’ radars
    • Consumers seek out sustainably produced alcohols
    • Environmental claims have fallen in spirit and wine launches
    • Graph 3: spirit and wine launches, by share of select ethical and environmental claims, 2020-24
    • Spirit brands are supporting conservation initiatives along with reducing their packaging footprint
    • Australia & New Zealand
    • Alcohol-free RTD brands are embracing cocktail culture
  4. THE AMERICAS

    • North America: low-sugar recipes can boost the appeal of RTD alcoholic beverages
    • Consumers are seeking out better-for-you alcohol options
    • No-added-sugar claims are growing while other sugar claims are in decline
    • Graph 4: RTD launches, by share of select claims, 2020-24
    • RTD brands call out sugar-free recipes
    • North America: limited-edition launches can bolster the appeal of spirits
    • Consumers are keen for limited-edition alcoholic drinks
    • The spirits category has seen a resurgence in limited-edition launches
    • Graph 5: spirit launches, by share of select claims, 2020-24
    • Bakery flavours, historical recipes and co-branding helps spirit brands stand out from the crowd
    • Latin America
    • Bottles see a resurgence in RTD FAD launches
    • Graph 6: flavoured alcoholic drink launches, by share of pack type, 2020-25
    • Bottled RTD brands offer consumers aluminium and glass options

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